Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gina Gott. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Gina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?
I make pieces that are witchcraft and cottage core in design, so I already know I’m a niche market. I had a show that was in a small town about 30 minutes from home and everything started normally, but as soon people started coming into the venue, I had people actually walk around my booth. It was the weirdest thing, like they were trying to avoid something bad on the floor (there was none). At first, I was taken aback, as I’d never had that kind of reaction before, but then I realized that this crowd was not my “people”, and that it is OK. I have learned to do more research so that I find the shows that work best for me. I firmly believe that every show helps me fine tune my audience and market.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’ve been doing jewelry for almost 20 years, and I love to work with moss and crystals and create magical little nature scenes as necklaces and bracelets, as well as decorative pieces for the home. Making a one-of-a-kind piece is my favorite part of the business because it lets my creativity of the leash, and it’s exciting to see how it comes out. I also do steampunk, custom and memorial pieces so that I reach a wider demographic and potential new customer. For me, I love to interact with the customers and feed off their creativity, their needs and suggestions and it creates a very personal experience. That’s the goal.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, at 58, it is still just as exciting to see customers so excited to find one of my weird little treasures. I think all artists feel like a kid who’s won a prize when customers really love your work. It keeps us young and when you see it in person, like at art fairs festivals or craft shows it really feels more personal and special to me.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I think for non -creators, it’s hard for them to understand how much of ourselves we put into every piece we make. It sounds corny, but our work does become like children to artists no matter what the medium. It’s wonderful when people love your piece but when customers come in and make comments like, “I can make it for less”, or ,”i don’t get it”, and don’t engage with the artist, it does undermine the creative process, however unintentional it may be. Artists try very hard not to take things personally, but it is always a struggle, and, we, like everyone else, want to be liked and accepted. We do understand, as artists, that we can’t fill every price point or fit everyone’s style, but we do hear those comments.
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Image Credits
Photos by Gina Gott